Coneflower

(Echinacea, Zones 3 to 9)

Coneflowers have become a garden staple for their easygoing nature. Growing 2 to 5 feet high and 2 feet wide, they are the perfect companion plant in just about any garden. They require well-drained soil but will thrive in full sun as well as partial shade. Known for attracting birds, bees and butterflies, coneflowers also make lovely cut blooms.

Why we love it: The coneflower is the low-maintenance star of nature-friendly gardens. It comes in many colors, and it’s easy to find one you-and the birds-will love.

Cosmos

(Cosmos bipinnatus)

If big, beautiful flowers are one of your top requirements, cosmos is perfect for you. Though it’s an annual, it often reseeds on its own. Blooming summer to frost and growing up to 6 feet high, this backyard favorite deserves a regular spot in your sunny garden.

Why we love it: It’s easy to grow from seed. So for a couple of bucks, you’ll have a gorgeous show in a single season.

Daylily

(Hemerocallis, Zones 3 to 10)

An excellent choice for a classic garden, daylilies can tolerate flooding, drought and salt and are often used for erosion control on steep hillsides. The pretty blooms come in every shade except blue and pure white; their distinctive trumpets may be triangular, circular, double, spidery or star-shaped. Daylilies grow 10 inches to 4 feet high and 1-1/2 to 4 feet wide and do best in full sun to partial shade.

Why we love it: Some cultivars attract hummingbirds and butterflies. A plant that is best divided every three to five years, the daylily is perfect to share with friends.

Hens and Chicks

(Sempervivum tectorum, Zones 3 to 8)

The only way to kill this succulent is by being too kind with overwatering. This perennial is perfect for rock gardens. It grows 3 to 6 inches tall and up to 20 inches wide and blooms in summer. For best results, plant in well-drained soil that gets full sun to light shade.

Why we love it: This low grower also works wonders in containers. Since it doesn’t have a deep root system, you can plant it somewhere fun. Try growing it in an old birdbath or shoe.

Yarrow

(Achillea, Zones 3 to 9)

These easy-care, long-lasting flowers come into their own once summer is on its way. _They grow 6 inches to 4 feet tall and 18 to 24 inches wide, in yellow, white, red and pink. Well-suited to most growing conditions, yarrows provide a long season of bloom. They’re a good cutting flower, too. Avoid seedy varieties that may require a bit of weeding to keep contained.

Why we love it: This plant is heat- and drought-tolerant and can survive on benign neglect.

Hosta

(Hosta, Zones 3 to 8)

Easy-to-grow hosta is a must for shade gardens. The beautiful foliage comes in a wealth of colors, textures, sizes and shapes, growing 4 inches to 3 feet high and 6 inches to 6 feet wide. In summer, hosta blooms in purple, white or lavender. Divide in spring or late summer to early fall. Hostas like moist ground, but be careful not to overwater.

Why we love it: The ultimate low-care shade plant, hosta comes in endless varieties and colors. It also can be easily divided-perfect for the budget-minded.

Sedum

(Sedum species, Zones 3 to 10)

Take a close look and you’ll see this plant’s star-shaped blooms, similar to a pentas. With yellow, orange, red, pink or white flowers, it grows from 2 inches up to 2 feet high and wide. You can grow some species as ground cover, while others make good border plants.

Why we love it: Hello, butterflies! If you want flying flowers in your yard, this plant is a slam dunk.

Zinnia

(Zinnia)

With new heat-, drought- and disease-resistant plants on the market, there’s never been a better time to grow zinnias. This annual grows up to 3 feet high, with blooms that last until the first frost. For the newest varieties from seed, check your local nursery or favorite garden catalog. If you don’t find what you’re looking for, order online.

Why we love it: You’ll save tons of money growing these from seed. Start seeds indoors, or sow outdoors about 1/4 inch deep after the threat of frost has passed.

Petunia

(Petunia x hybrida)

Petunias have been around for decades, but the newer varieties have advanced in leaps and bounds. Days of deadheading and disease-prone plants are long gone. Nowadays, these beauties flourish in both full sun and partial shade without a lot of extra work. And you can find them in almost every color imaginable.

Why we love it: Even if you forget to water for a few days-it happens to everyone-these plants keep going.

Yucca

(Yucca filamentosa, Zones 4 to 11)

There’s a good reason so many Southern gardeners use this as a backyard centerpiece. It’s about as drought-tolerant as they come-and on top of that, it boasts beautiful white flowers amid its spiky leaves.

Why we love it: Both flowers and foliage come with this beauty. For a unique variety, look for the variegata cultivar. Its blue-green leaves with white edges are stunning.